Dr Annet Kisakye Honoured for Transformative Work in Immunization

Kampala, Uganda– The Government of Uganda through Ministry of Neatly being (MOH) has recognised Dr Annet Kisakye, the World Neatly being Group (WHO) National Decent Officer (Routine Immunization) for her outstanding contributions to improving immunization services in Uganda. 

The award turned into once presented to Dr Kisakye by Dr Sania Nishtar, Chief Government Officer of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance on 19 November 2024 in Kampala. This turned into once during the birthday celebration of fifty years of Uganda’s Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI).

With over 15 years of skills at WHO, Dr Kisakye has equipped technical steering and strengthen to MOH in several areas including strengthening routine immunization, introducing original vaccines, the polio eradication initiative, eliminating measles, strengthening surveillance, eliminating maternal and neonatal tetanus including outbreak and pandemic response actions among others. Her work has in the present day contributed to preventing disease outbreaks and saving lives through vaccination in the nation.

Dr Kisakye played a pivotal role in a marketing campaign to put lives against Cholera infection when the nation started vaccinating the individuals living in 13 hotspot districts as phase of the nationwide integrated total cholera prevention and maintain an eye on thought 2017/18-2021/22. Since then, no outbreaks were registered in those districts. 

The recognition, according to Dr Kisakye, is a testament to the collective efforts of many devoted individuals, companions, and communities dedicated to improving public health. She feels inspired to continue striving for a extra wholesome future for all Ugandans.

Dr Kisakye supported the roll out of the Ebola vaccine in Uganda in 2018. She turned into once a co-Principal Investigator, supervising over 100 individuals in the big, urgent effort. This is in line with the existence course design as stipulated in the Immunization Agenda 2030. The roll out required like a flash vaccination of 6,805 at-risk health staff in 13 districts between November 2018 and September 2019, racing against time to give protection against Ebola Zaire species before any importation.

“We additionally had to isolate and observe four health staff on the border for symptoms of suspected Ebola virus disease, to forestall doable transmission. All were already vaccinated, but it certainly turned into once silent a worrying time for them. No one died or turned severely in unhappy health, illustrating clearly that vaccines work and put lives,” says Dr Kisakye.

The recognition, according to Dr Kisakye, is a testament to the collective efforts of many devoted individuals, companions, and communities dedicated to improving public health. She feels inspired to continue striving for a extra wholesome future for all Ugandans, critically in this era where vaccine hesitancy—a notorious international risk—is contributing to the resurgence of vaccine-preventable diseases reminiscent of measles. 

Dr Kisakye’s heart aches when she sees a baby suffering from a vaccine-preventable disease, critically when vaccines and those to administer them shall be found. She advocates for Innovations to vaccinate all eligible persons.

A medical doctor with a grasp’s diploma in public health, Dr Annet Kisakye ran medical wards in public and deepest hospitals in Kampala before joining WHO. She started working as Uganda’s Immunization and Surveillance Officer, expanding her portfolio over time to include a differ of vaccine preventable diseases and Integrated Illness Surveillance and Response. 

Congratulations to Dr Kisakye!

The WHO family proudly celebrates her no longer easy-earned award, honouring the foremost contribution to the health sector over the final twenty years and beyond.